JPH10146339A - Ultrasonic diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a main body function, attain size reduction, improve reliability in the main body function, and improve extendability by enabling an applied measuring function to separate and become independent from a basic measuring function, and arranging only the basic measuring function in the main body function. SOLUTION: When an operator selects an operation button 11 of a desired applied measuring function by a mouse cursor, a corresponding applied measuring function practicing program is started in a GUI(graphical user interface). After an ultrasonic tomographic image 2 is depicted on a monitor image screen 1, when a basic measuring function (distance measurement between two points) is selected on a basic measuring function selecting menu 3, two points are indicated by the mouse cursor, and coordinates of the two points are taken in, and a distance between the two points is calculated by using a theorem of trigonometry. A desired input variable is selected to substitute obtained basic measuring data in an input variable in applied measurement, and when necessary measuring data are all gathered, calculation of prescribed applied measurement is started, and its calculation result is displayed on a display column 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of displaying at least a B-mode image (an image by a B-mode display method: an ultrasonic tomographic image) among a plurality of types of ultrasonic images on a monitor screen. In particular, the present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which improves reliability of a main body function, enhances expandability, and facilitates new development and addition of an applied measurement function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus performs a basic measurement function of directly measuring a measured ultrasonic image on a displayed ultrasonic image and directly obtaining a result (measurement data), and performs a calculation using the measurement data obtained by the basic measurement function. By doing so, it has an applied measurement function to obtain data more suitable for the purpose of diagnosis.

The basic measurement function includes a distance measurement for measuring a distance between two points designated on a displayed ultrasonic image,
Time measurement to measure the time of one heartbeat or the like by M mode or Doppler image,
There are area measurement, and Doppler blood flow measurement for measuring the flow velocity of the blood flow at a designated site, but the types are limited because of the basic measurement function.

[0004] On the other hand, the applied measurement function is a simple one such as volume measurement of a kidney or the like, and is a complex or advanced one such as an obstetric measurement (fetal body weight measurement or the like) for estimating the fetal age or developing diagnosis. Until now, there are various types in accordance with the respective diagnostic fields, and further developments and increases are expected in the future.

In the conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the basic measurement function and the applied measurement function are not separated as independent functions, but are incorporated as a single integrated main body function. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of such a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, showing a display example of a monitor screen at the time of measurement. In FIG. 5, 1 is a monitor screen of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, 2 to 7 are images displayed on the monitor screen 1 respectively,
The menu, the measurement target, and various display columns are shown. 2 of these
Is an ultrasonic tomographic image, and 3 is a basic measurement function selection menu. .., M1 in the menu 3 are buttons for selecting the first basic measurement function, the second basic measurement function,. Here, the button M1 for selecting the first basic measurement function is currently selected, and the button M1 is displayed in a double line and other unselected buttons M2,.
Is distinguished.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a display of a measurement object. The operator instructs the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body (not shown) using a coordinate input device such as a trackball and a mouse for any position of the measurement point "+". Reference numeral 5 denotes a display field of a basic measurement result, in which a distance (unit: mm) between two points “+” and “+” is displayed.

Reference numeral 6 denotes an input variable display field for applied measurement. Here, y1 = f1 (x1, x2,..., Xm), y2 = f2 (x
1, x2,... Xm),... Yn = fn (x1, x2,..., Xm) input variables x1, x2,. Input variable x
The corresponding basic measurement data is substituted for 1, x2,... Xm. For the substitution, first perform the basic measurement, obtain the result (measurement data), and then manually (drag and drop method etc.) move the cursor (not shown) to the input variable to be substituted.
This is done by performing a selection operation. Numeral 7 is a display column for calculation results of applied measurement, in which y1, y2,... Yn are displayed.

[0008]

As described above, in the conventional apparatus, since the basic measuring function and the applied measuring function are incorporated as a single main body function, the applied measuring function is enlarged. As the complexity increases, the entire execution program of the main body function becomes larger and more complex, and the reliability of the program deteriorates in spite of the enormous time and labor required for work such as revision.
For this reason, there has been a problem that the function expansion gradually becomes difficult, and it becomes difficult to newly develop and add an applied measurement function.

An object of the present invention is to separate and separate the applied measurement function from the basic measurement function, and to simplify and reduce the size of the main body function as only the basic measurement function, thereby improving the reliability of the main body function. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is designed to enhance expandability and facilitate new development and addition of applied measurement functions.

[0010]

An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of displaying at least a B-mode image of a plurality of types of ultrasonic images on a monitor screen. A basic measurement unit that performs a basic measurement operation that can be directly measured by the instruction operation, displays the result on the monitor screen, and stores the result in the shared memory;
The basic measurement function can be selectively executed before the end of the basic measurement function of the basic measurement means, performs a predetermined applied measurement operation using data stored in the shared memory, and displays the result at least on the monitor screen. After the application measuring means, which is configured separately from the means, is started and before the arithmetic operation, and the data is stored in the shared memory, the storage of the shared memory in the applied measuring means is performed by a predetermined instruction operation. This is achieved by providing basic measurement data transfer means for transferring data and transferring arithmetic operations to the applied measurement means.

The basic measuring means performs a basic measurement operation that can be directly measured by an instruction operation on the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor screen, displays the result on the monitor screen, and stores the result in the shared memory. Further, the basic measurement data transfer means, after the application measurement means is started, before the arithmetic operation, and when data is stored in the shared memory, the data stored in the shared memory is transmitted to the application measurement means by a predetermined instruction operation. The calculation is transferred to the applied measuring means. Thereby, when the applied measuring means is added, the measurement data of the basic measuring means necessary for the calculation of the applied measuring means is transferred from the shared memory to the applied measuring means, and the calculation of the applied measuring means is performed from the basic measuring means. The operation is smoothly and continuously executed as a series of operations as in the case of the conventional device.

Here, the applied measuring means is constituted independently of the basic measuring means, and can be selectively executed before the basic measuring function of the basic measuring means is completed. The calculation of applied measurement is performed, and the result is displayed at least on a monitor screen. That is, the applied measurement function is separated and independent from the basic measurement function, and only the basic measurement function is provided as the main body function, so that the main body functions (programs and the like) are simplified and reduced. Thereby, the reliability of the main body function is improved and the extensibility is improved, and new development and addition of the applied measurement function are facilitated.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 40 is a magnetic disk, 41 is a main memory, and 42 is a C
PU (central processing unit), 43 is a display memory, 44 is a CR
T monitor, 45 is a keyboard, 46 is a trackball,
A coordinate input device such as a mouse, here a mouse, 47 is a mouse controller, 48 is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, 49 is a probe, 50 is a shared memory, and 51 is a common bus.

In this case, the magnetic disk 40 stores an ultrasonic image such as a B-mode image (ultrasonic tomographic image) and other data, an execution program for a function of an applied measurement unit (application measurement function) described later, and a basic measurement data transfer described later. Execution program of means, GUI (graphical user interface) described later
It stores a function execution program and an OS (operating system) program. here,
The execution program for each function of multiple types of applied measurement means
This is an execution program for functions that exist variously according to each diagnostic field, such as volume measurement of kidneys, estimation of fetal gestational age and obstetric measurement for growth diagnosis, and is independent of the execution program for each function of the basic measurement means described later. A thing. Since the function execution program of the basic measurement unit is independent and independent, it is easy to add a function execution program of a new applied measurement unit. The magnetic disk 40 can also store various data obtained by executing various programs, for example, various ultrasonic images such as a B-mode image (ultrasonic tomographic image). Main memory 4
Numeral 1 temporarily stores various programs and data when executing the programs. The CPU 42 performs calculations, processes, and control of each unit of the apparatus necessary for executing the program.

The display memory 43 stores ultrasonic image data, G
Stores characters, numbers, icons, graphics, mouse cursor display data, etc. necessary for using the UI. The CRT monitor 44 displays data stored in the display memory 43 as an image. Ie CRT
The monitor 44 displays an ultrasonic image, characters, icons, a mouse cursor, and the like necessary for using the GUI as the various programs are executed. The keyboard 45 is used to input various operation commands and data. Mouse 46
Is used to select a menu (function), transfer data (basic measurement data) stored in the shared memory 51, and the like. The mouse controller 47 controls the mouse 46.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 48 includes an ultrasonic transmission / reception circuit, an image reconstructing circuit (digital scan converter, etc.), an operation control circuit for controlling various parts in the apparatus main body, and various operations, and uses a probe 49. An ultrasonic image is obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves. Further, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 48 also includes a memory such as a ROM in which an execution program of each function of a basic measuring unit described later is stored. Here, the execution program of each function of the basic measurement means is a distance measurement for measuring a distance between two points designated on the ultrasonic image displayed on the screen 1 of the CRT monitor 44, an M mode or a Doppler image. An execution program for each function such as time measurement to measure the time of one heartbeat or the like, perimeter and area measurement to measure the perimeter and area of the specified area, and Doppler blood flow measurement to measure the blood flow velocity at the specified site Point. The shared memory 50 stores a result value of a basic measurement by a basic measurement unit described later. The common bus 51 connects each unit of the above device.

An execution program (the same program storage memory) for each function of the basic measurement and the ultrasonic operation control circuit in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 48 are operated by an instruction operation on the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor screen 1. Performs the basic measurement that can be directly measured, and displays the result on the monitor screen 1 and stores the result in the shared memory 50.

An execution program of the basic measurement data transfer means (the magnetic disk 40 storing the program) and the CP
U42, when the data is stored in the shared memory 50 after the application measuring means is activated and before the arithmetic operation is performed,
The shared memory 5 is provided to the application measuring means by a predetermined instruction operation.
The main configuration of the basic measurement data transfer means for transferring the stored data of 0 and transferring the arithmetic operation to the applied measurement means.

Furthermore, an execution program (magnetic disk 40 storing the same program) for each applied measurement function and a CPU 42
Are configured independently of the above-described basic measuring means, can be selected and executed before the function of the basic measuring means (basic measuring function) ends, and perform predetermined applied measurement calculations using data stored in the shared memory 50, respectively. The main configuration of each application measuring means for displaying the result on the monitor screen 1 at least.

An execution program for the GUI function (magnetic disk 40 storing the program), CPU 42, CRT
The monitor 44 and the mouse 46 form a main configuration of an operation unit to which a GUI is applied. The basic measurement data transfer means may be incorporated in the operation means to which this GUI is applied.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a general display example of the monitor screen 1 at the time of measurement by the apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a specific display example, in which the distance measurement (basic measurement) between two points is performed.
It is a figure which shows the example which calculates | requires a volume by going round, ie, the example which performs application measurement of a volume. In FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 8 denotes a screen display relating to the function execution of the basic measuring means (function of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body), for example, a menu for selecting each function of the basic measuring means and a screen of basic measurement data as a measurement result. This is a basic measurement window for displaying and displaying a screen of an ultrasonic image. Reference numeral 9 denotes a screen display relating to the execution of functions of the applied measurement means, for example, a menu for selecting the applied measurement means (application measurement function), basic measurement data (input variables) used for application measurement.
And a window for application measurement which is independent of the above-mentioned basic measurement window 8 and displays a screen of application measurement data and the like as application measurement results.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a mouse cursor portion when the basic measurement data transfer function is executed by the operation means to which the GUI is applied. The arrow including the mouse cursor portion 10 in the middle represents the locus of movement of the mouse cursor (from the transfer source to the transfer destination) when the basic measurement data is transferred.
This shows a so-called drag and drop operation of measurement data. 11 is an applied measurement function, here VOLLU
This is an operation button displayed on the screen to activate an application measurement function ME1 (application measurement VOLUME1). In addition, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

In FIG. 3, DISTANCE (distance measurement) and ARE are provided as basic measurement function selection menus 3.
An example in which A (area circumference measurement) is set is shown, and volume measurement (applied measurement VOLUME1) is selected as an applied measurement function, and an example of execution is shown. In FIG. 3, the distance measurement is currently selected as the basic measurement function, and the button “DISTANCE” is distinguished and displayed by enclosing the double line. The operator indicates the position of the measurement point “+” in the measurement target display 4 to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 48 via the GUI using the mouse 46.
In the display column 5 of the basic measurement result, the measurement data D =
100 mm is displayed. In the input variable display column 6 of the applied measurement, input variables (basic measurement data as basic measurement results) D1, D2, and D3 for measuring the volume V = C × D1 × D2 × D3 are currently displayed. Note that C is a constant,
The basic measurement data of D1, D2, and D3 can be obtained by three distance measurements. The applied measurement result, that is, the measurement data of the volume V is displayed in the applied measurement calculation result display column 7.

The following two methods can be used to transfer and assign the basic measurement result to the applied measurement means (application measurement function). (1) After the basic measurement (calculation), the applied measurement means uses the mouse cursor to select and indicate a predetermined input variable display field 6 of the window 9 and transfer the basic measurement data as an input variable to the field 6. substitute. (2) The mouse cursor is moved to a predetermined input variable display column 6 of the window 9 on the applied measurement side while the measurement data of the basic measurement is selected using the mouse cursor, and the input variable is entered in the column 6. Transfer and assign basic measurement data.

These are basic measurement data transfer means and GU
It is performed by an execution program of the operation unit to which I is applied or the operation unit in which the basic measurement data transfer unit is incorporated. The basic measurement window 8 is displayed by the basic measurement means (basic measurement function execution program) in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body 48, and the application measurement window 9 is provided for each application which is configured independently of the basic measurement means. The measurement means (each of the applied measurement function execution programs) displays. Each application measurement function execution program is displayed in a small size as an operation button 11 on the screen by being registered in the GUI in advance, and if a desired operation button 11 is selected and indicated by a mouse cursor among these, The corresponding application measurement function execution program starts.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a measurement processing procedure in the apparatus of the present invention. Hereinafter, the measurement processing in the apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. In FIG. 4, the flow on the left is the processing flow of the basic measuring means (the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body), the flow at the center is the flow of operation and judgment by the operator, and the flow on the right is the processing flow of the applied measuring means.

First, at step 31, an operator selects and operates an operation button of a desired applied measurement function, for example, the operation button 11 with a mouse cursor. As a result, the GUI starts the function execution program of the corresponding application measurement VOLUME1. As a result, the application measurement window 9 is displayed on the monitor screen 1 in step 21, and then the process proceeds to an input waiting step 22.

Thereafter, the operator causes the ultrasonic tomographic image 2 to be drawn on the monitor screen 1 in step 32, and then in step 33, displays the basic measurement function on the basic measurement function selection menu 3, in this case, DISTANCE (between two points). Select (Distance measurement). As a result, the execution program of the basic measurement function shifts from the input waiting step 12 to the basic measurement processing step 14 via the determination step 13, and performs the calculation processing of the basic measurement. Here, the distance measurement between the two points is selected, and when the operator designates the two points on the image 2 using the mouse cursor, the basic measuring means captures the coordinates of the two points and uses the theorem of trigonometry. To calculate the distance between the two points. In the case of executing other functions of the basic measurement, a process corresponding to the measurement function is performed.

The basic measurement result is written in the shared memory 16 (corresponding to the shared memory 50 in FIG. 1) in step 15. When the basic measurement is AREA (area perimeter measurement), two data of the perimeter and the area are displayed by one measurement. In such a case, the measurement data to be transferred and assigned is selected with a mouse cursor, and the selected measurement data is written to the shared memory 16.

In step 35, the operator selects a desired input variable in order to substitute the basic measurement result (basic measurement data) for an input variable in applied measurement. In accordance with this selection, the applied measurement function execution program fetches the basic measurement data from the shared memory 16 in step 23, and substitutes it for the selected input variable. The selection of the basic measurement data and the selection and substitution of the input variables are repeated until the necessary basic measurement data is substituted for all the input variables (step 3).
6).

After the necessary basic measurement (operation, calculation) is completed,
When it is determined in step 24 that all the measurement data necessary for the applied measurement are available, the applied measurement function execution program calculates a predetermined applied measurement in step 25, and executes the applied measurement on the monitor screen 1 in step 26. Calculation result display field 7
And displays the result, and terminates the process. The operator evaluates the contents of the applied measurement result (applied measurement data) displayed in step 37.

When the input variable of the applied measuring means, that is, the basic measured data is selected when the basic measuring function is not selected, the basic measured data is transferred to the applied measuring means. I don't come. In such a case,
The fact that the applied measurement means has selected the input variable may be reported to the basic measurement means, and when the input variable (basic measurement data) is obtained, it may be provided to the applied measurement means.

In the above-mentioned example, since an OS capable of multitasking is used, not only one application measurement means (application measurement function) but also a plurality of application measurement means are introduced, and other application measurement means can be executed without terminating a specific application measurement function. One or more applied measurement functions can be executed concurrently.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, the applied measurement function is separated and independent from the basic measurement function, and the main function is simplified and reduced in size as the basic measurement function alone. There is an effect that an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus can be obtained in which the reliability of the function is improved and the expandability is enhanced, and the new development and addition of the applied measurement function are facilitated.

Further, according to the above-mentioned example, various instruction operations for the basic measuring means, the applied measuring means, and the basic measurement data transferring means are performed by the operating means to which the GUI is applied, so that the operation of the operator becomes easy. There is also. Further, according to the above example, for the display area on the monitor screen, the screen display relating to the execution of the function of the basic measurement means and the screen display of the ultrasonic image are performed in a common basic measurement window, and the execution of the function of the application measurement means is performed. Since the screen display is performed in the application measurement window independent of the basic measurement window, there is also an effect that the operation of the operator can be performed easily and reliably. Further, a standard OS or GUI can be used, and there is also an effect that a general-purpose spreadsheet program can be used as an execution program of the applied measurement function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a general display example of a monitor screen at the time of measurement by the above-described device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific display example.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a measurement processing procedure in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a monitor screen display at the time of measurement by the conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Monitor screen of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, 2 ... Ultrasonic tomographic image, 3 ... Basic measurement function selection menu, 4 ... Measurement target display, 5 ... Basic measurement result display column, 6 ... Application measurement input variable display column, 7 ... applied measurement calculation result display field, 8 ... basic measurement window, 9 ... applied measurement window, 10 ... mouse cursor part, 11 ... operation buttons of applied measurement function, 40
... magnetic disk, 41 ... main memory, 42 ... CPU (central processing unit), 43 ... display memory, 44 ... CRT monitor,
45: keyboard, 46: mouse, 47: mouse controller, 48: ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus main body, 49: probe, 5
0: shared memory, 51: common bus.

Claims (3)

[Claims] At least B of a plurality of types of ultrasonic images
In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of displaying a mode image on a monitor screen, calculation of basic measurement that can be directly measured by an instruction operation on the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor screen is performed, and the result is displayed on the monitor screen. And a basic measurement unit to be stored in the shared memory, and can be selectively executed before the end of the basic measurement function of the basic measurement unit, and perform a predetermined applied measurement operation using the data stored in the shared memory. At least on the monitor screen, after starting the applied measuring means configured independently of the basic measuring means, before the arithmetic operation, and when data is stored in the shared memory, a predetermined instruction Basic measurement data transfer means for transferring data stored in the shared memory to the applied measurement means by operation and transferring arithmetic operation to the applied measurement means. Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim and. 2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein various instruction operations on the basic measurement unit, the application measurement unit, and the basic measurement data transfer unit are performed by an operation unit to which a GUI is applied. 3. In a display area on the monitor screen, a screen display relating to the function execution of the basic measurement means and a screen display of the ultrasonic image are performed in a common window, and the screen display relating to the function execution of the applied measurement means is performed in the window. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic diagnosis is performed in an independent window.